South East Asia

In his visit to the Southeast Asian city-state, Pope Francis spoke of the urgency of not leaving anyone in the shadow of its great skyscrapers. This commitment is best exemplified by Pro Bono SG, a group of legal professionals who provide free legal counsel and representation to those who cannot afford them. In doing so, they are overcoming some strong biases in a society that extols rigour.

The Philippine Church held its annual Sunday dedicated to catechists, holding a national fundraiser to support this ministry. Delegates from every diocese met in Jaro from 9 to 12 September. The importance of passing on the faith to the new generations was highlighted. For Bishop Galbines, only those who have "seen the Lord" can share his love.

At the Angelus, the pontiff expressed his closeness to the people affected by Typhoon Yagi and the families of Israeli hostages found killed in Gaza a few days ago. Francis mentioned meeting the mother of one of them. “[L]et the negotiations continue, and let peaceful solutions be found!” he said. He also urged the faithful to ask, “Who is Jesus for you?”

Teresa Kok, a six-time MP with the Democratic Action Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, is in the crosshairs for questioning a proposal seen as too burdensome for small businesses. During questioning, she stressed that she did not “disrespect Islam”.

The pope departed for Rome from the metropolis in Southeast Asia, the fourth stop on his long journey through Asia and Oceania. "Religions are different languages on the path to God. If you dialogue as young people, you will also dialogue as adults, as citizens, as politicians. Take risks, do not be afraid’. To the elderly and the sick: ‘Your prayer is very important before God’.

Other Southeast Asian countries have also been affected. Flood waters reach the altar in the cathedral, diocese of Chang Rai, Thailand, the bishop said. Telecommunications and travel are still haphazard in large parts of the region.

In the celebration at the National Stadium in front of tens of thousands of faithful, Francis referred to the city’s “great and bold architecture” to urge the faithful to look at the true source of life and beauty. He added that the “most profitable investment in God’s eyes,” is “all of us, for we are beloved children of the same Father”. The pope also referred to Saint Francis Xavier, who lived for a long time in Malacca Peninsula, stressing the primacy of the proclamation of the Gospel to the peoples of Asia.

In his address to the authorities in Southeast Asia's commercial and financial crossroads, Francis extolled the model of peace and cooperation between different peoples that the city-state embodies. But he also called for a ‘fair wage’ for migrants and attention to family and human relations in the metropolis of the digital world. The model of a ‘multilateralism based on shared rules’ in today's conflict-torn world.

The increasing conquests by the Brotherhood Alliance, composed of three powerful ethnic militias, are highlighting the difficulties of administering different territories. A challenge that could explain the difficulties in taking control of even the largest cities in Myanmar. The involvement of China is also emerging with increasing clarity.

A French missionary with the MÉP, Fr Bruno Saint Girons, served as a priest for 15 years in the Southeast Asian metropolis that is currently welcoming the Pope. He told AsiaNews about the daily life of his communities, confiding that he would like this great city to learn from Francis to listen to everyone, not to judge.

An opposition leader is calling on the Election Commission to dissolve the party of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, less than a month after she took office. In early August, the progressive Move Forward party was also dissolved. Meanwhile, the economy continues to slow with no end in sight.

While the whole country still has in its eyes the more than 600,000 people at yesterday's Mass, this morning - in his last appointment in East Timor - Francis met with young people, inviting them to ‘make noise’ to build the future without letting themselves be overcome by individualism. Then the departure for Singapore where the pontiff arrived in the early afternoon.